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A spring rarely goes by without an unexpected star emerging from left field. This year the obvious candidate is the cleverly name Begood Toya Mother, the unheralded gelding from Warrnambool representing a massive syndicate of some 55 owners.
Riding his wave of success are his trainer Daniel Bowman and jockey Declan Bates, who together celebrated a career high when Begood Toya Mother won the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
A late developing 5YO by Myboycharlie, Begood Toya Mother joined the elite echelon with his eighth win at only his 13 start to justify the path Bowman set for him early this year.
Bowman said the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes had been the main aim since Begood Toya Mother won at Sandown in April.
"At Sandown he put the writing on the wall as the type of horse that fitted the profile for this race," Bowman said.
"That's when we put the plan in motion to get here. When a long range plan comes off it's fulfilling."
Begood Toya Mother is Bowman's crowning achievement as he purchased the gelding as a yearling for only $28,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from the draft of Donnybrook Estates.
The third Australian G1 winner by Prix Morny winner Myboycharlie after Caulfield Cup and Oaks winner Jameka and the Champagne Stakes wining 2YO Peggy Jean, Begod Toya Mother has now won just short of $600,000 prizemoney for the big syndicate Bowman put together after his purchase.
His dam Lady of Helena, a winner at 1550 metres, is a Kaapstad half-sister to Western Red, a dual G1 winner in Australia and New Zealand.
Behind her breeding is Mark Nevin, a former Vinery Stud employee who paid only $600 for Lady Of Helena at the 2013 Australian Broodmare Sale.
After purchasing the mare Nevin sent Lady Of Helena to Myboycharlie and the result – foaled down by his wife Melissa – was Begood Toya Mother.
Begiood Toya Mother After was offered at the 2015 Australian Weanling Sale through the Vinery draft before his later sale to Bowman as a yearling.
Nevin spent six years at Vinery before moving to Rheinwood Pastoral for two years. He is now back in his homeland UK and has followed Begood Toya Mother's racing career from the outset.
"We haven't missed a race - it's been an amazing journey for everyone,'' Nevin said.
"Credit to Daniel and his team, they're having a great time with him and they deserve all the enjoyment in the world.''